this morning, flames and floods. >> extreme conditions coast-to-coast. california's newest monster blaze looms above los angeles, out of control. in the gulf, floodwaters seem to go nowhere. isaac's misery spreading to the northeast today. first lady's focus. a different message expected tonight from michelle obama, compared to ann romney's speech last week, as the democratic convention now begins in just a few hours. scientology storm swirling around tom cruise again. did church officials choose mates for the megastar. and on the rampage, armed with a ten-ton bulldozer. good morning, everybody.

i'm rob nelson. >> and i'm diana perez, in for paula faris. with labor day behind us, we begin this tuesday with the unofficial end to the summer of extremes. >> that's for sure. it's giving way to an early fall, filled with wildfires, high water and wicked winds, now bringing trouble from california to the carolinas. northeast of l.a., a fast-moving wildfire is tearing through the angeles national forest. the flames sending thousands of holiday campers fleeing. the fire has scorched six-square miles. and for now, aerial assault with a chopper and a dc-10 is the atta attack. so far, more than 300 firefighters have the flames barely contained. it comes as isaac roared ashore. almost 3,000 people remain in shelters and more than 100,000 have no power. baby emily, born too early, is

finally ready to come home after spending her first five months in the hospital, but can't because her home in laplace has no lights or a.c. >> she'll come home. hopefully she'll come home. >> reporter: president obama toured the devastation monday, promising federal help and to find out how to keep another flooding disaster from happening again. and what's left of isaac is delivering a deluge to much of the east coast. abc meteorologist ginger zee says some of the biggest cities will get a big soaking over the next few days. >> flood watches in place from north carolina to new jersey. heaviest rain from new york city to boston. >> reporter: the remnants of isaac already fueled a powerful storm that ripped across the middle of delaware, where people spotted a funnel cloud. and so far, the northeast could see four inches of rain, something that would be helpful to the firefight in california, where only 5% of that newest

blaze is now contained. we have live updates from all of the trouble spots coming up in a little while on "good morning america." our other big story this morning is unfolding in charlot charlotte, north carolina. >> that's where democrats are gathering for their national convention, which kicks off later today. brandi hitt is joining us from charlotte with a preview. >> reporter: good morning. now, the stage is set. it's time for the democratic national convention to begin. that's the week we're in right now. and the first lady, the most popular woman in the white house, will be taking that podium later tonight. the first day of the democratic national convention will spotlight first lady michelle obama. >> i'll admit, i'm a little biased because i think our president is awesome. >> reporter: the obama campaign has long preferred to mrs. obama as the closer. she ran through her convention speech monday and must convince america tonight her husband is taking the country in the right direction. it's a similar opening night to

last week's republican convention, when ann romney painted her husband as a likable guy. >> i can tell you, mitt romney was not handed success. he built it. >> reporter: when the gavel strikes on the democratic convention stage, the president will be in his midst of the road to charlotte campaign tour, touting his efforts to bring the economy back. >> i've stood with american workers. i've stood with american manufacturing. i believed in you. >> reporter: other speakers, tonight, will do the same, including chicago mayor, rahm emanuel, and the keynote speaker, san antonio mayor, julian castro. >> it's not just the words themselves. it's having command of the arena. >> reporter: the 37-year-old is an up-and-comer within the democratic party. and is taking the same slot that shot another senator into the spotlight in 2004. >> the next senator from the state of illinois, barack obama.

>> reporter: back then he was known as state senator obama. now, joe biden arrives in charlotte today. he'll be delivering his speech on thursday, right before president obama accepts the democratic nomination. rob and diana? >> all right, brandi. another convention. another storm that could hit the night the convention moves outside. how is another weather event going to affect the democratic national convention? >> reporter: that's been the talk this week. there's a threat of thunderstorms. more severe weather coming in on thursday. and bank of america stadium, open-air. we're told there's a contingency plan in place if there is rain and thunderstorms in the area. the details of that contingency plan, the white house is not revealing that. they do know, though, that something is in place. and we'll have to wait and see how things go on thursday. >> they're trying to fill that 75,000 people. so, weather a big issue. >> will they be able to do it? >> reporter: a lot of people. >> brandi hitt, live in charlotte. thank you.

you can join diane sawyer and george stephanopoulos this week for coverage of the democrats. it all kicks off tonight at 10:00 eastern time. keep it right here on abc news. overseas, now, where survivors are describing chaos and carnage in the suicide bombing that targeted a u.s. government vehicle in pakistan. two pakistanis were killed and two americans are among the 19 people wounded in monday's attack in the city of peshawar. the bomber rammed the vehicle near the u.s. consulate, using 240 pounds of explosives. so far, there's been no claim of responsibility. in other news this morning, the new school year begins today in chicago. but more than 26,000 teachers and staff members in the nation's third-largest school district could soon be on strike. teachers rallied yesterday on labor day in a show of solidarity. they're threatening, though, to strike next monday over pay, benefits and job security, which would leave the windy city scrambling to deal with 400,000 students. a potential mess on their hands.

rahm emanuel, cutting short his trip to the convention to deal with that looming crisis with the schools. time, now, for the weather across the nation. chicago could hit 90 degrees. begin wrapping up one of its hottest summers on record. heavy rain in 14 states from new england to virginia. a different storm system triggers downpours from florida to mississippi. severe storms around minneapolis, des moines, omaha and kansas city. hot and dry from the rockies to texas. >> triple-digits in dallas and phoenix. 80s from miami up to new york and across much of the midwest. and when we come back, organic food is harder on your wallet. but is it really better for your health? >> interesting question there. also, prince harry is showing the world another side, after his nude photo scandal. and later, it's "live with kelly and --". after all the rumors, the real regis replacement takes a permanent seat today.

welcome back, everybody. some good news to pass on this morning. gas prices should be coming down. they were at their highest ever for a labor day weekend. the average is $3.83 a gallon this morning. the increase was fueled by a shutdown in oil production along the gulf coast. all of that thanks to hurricane isaac. there were also problems with refineries and a pipeline in other parts of the country.

when you pay more for organic foods, are you getting what it's worth? a stanford study finds no difference between organic produce and conventional fruits and vegetables. there is, however, the level of pesticide residue. but it's not significant. it's been a disappointing summer for hollywood. fewer people went to the movies, despite big blockbusters like "the avengers" and "the black knight rises." theaters saw their worst attendance in 20 years. and prices are also higher for peace. the national average from the tooth fairy that children are getting is now $3 a tooth. visa, apparently the expert at this, says that is up 15% from last year. and they are adding a facebook calculator to help parents determine the worth of a tooth. >> i never got $3 for a tooth. i got like 50 cents. >> i got 10 cents.

how much are teeth that have fallen out of your mouth really worth? >> i counted on that money for my gum and stuff. i feel robbed. >> some parents are giving as much as 20 bucks, which is jading a child's worth of a dollar. $20 for a throwaway tooth? >> that's insane. that's the 1%. >> i wouldn't get any money when i cut my hair off. >> that's a different story. when we come back this tuesday morning, tiger woods has just done what no golfer ever has. also ahead, how this lost dog traveled hundreds of miles in search of his loving family. i'm one of six children that my mother raised by herself, and so college was a dream when i was a kid. i didn't know how i was gonna to do it, but i knew i was gonna get that opportunity one day, and that's what happened with university of phoenix. nothing can stop me now. i feel like the sky's the limit with what i can do and what i can accomplish.

my name is naphtali bryant and i am a phoenix. visit phoenix.edu to find the program that's right for you. enroll now. i've been fortunate to win on golf's biggest stages. but when joint pain and stiffness from psoriatic arthritis hit, even the smallest things became difficult. i finally understood what serious joint pain is like. i talked to my rheumatologist and he prescribed enbrel. enbrel can help relieve pain, stiffness, and stop joint damage. because enbrel, etanercept, suppresses your immune system,

it may lower your ability to fight infections. serious, sometimes fatal events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, other cancers, and nervous system and blood disorders have occurred. before starting enbrel, your doctor should test you for tuberculosis and discuss whether you've been to a region where certain fungal infections are common. don't start enbrel if you have an infection like the flu. tell your doctor if you're prone to infections, have cuts or sores, have had hepatitis b, have been treated for heart failure, or if, while on enbrel, you experience persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness. [ phil ] get back to the things that matter most. ask your rheumatologist if enbrel is right for you. [ doctor ] enbrel, the number one biolog medicine prescribed by rheumatologists. when you see a tractor-trailer in a parking lot like this, you just know it's just not going to end well. check out this guy in russia, going all demolition derby. plowing through the parking lot, damaging seven cars altogether.

eventually, some onlookers delivered some much-needed street justice to this barefoot and apparently drunk driver. you can't say he didn't deserve it. oh. one more. oh. >> close your tab, buddy. a look at your morning road conditions on this back-to-work tuesday. wet highways along the east coast, from new england to the southeast. also, inland into tennessee, kentucky and the ohio valley. storm-soaked roads in the nation's midsection, from the twin cities to kansas city. >> and if you're flying, airport delays are possible in minneapolis, atlanta, washington, d.c., philadelphia and new york. and back to the headlines this morning. prince harry is no longer in hiding. he appeared in public for the first time since his nude photos were splashed across the internet and newspapers around the globe. >> a very relaxed and fully-clothed harry was surrounded by kids in london as he attended an awards ceremony for a charity.

the crowd chuckled a little when he talked about his lack of shyness. >> i've never once been shy in going forward. i'll give it a go. [ laughter ] >> a little boy at the event had mentioned to the press that he would tell harry he was glad he had his clothes on. when harry heard about it, he jokingly warned the little boy not to say anything cheeky. in other hollywood news this morning, tom hanks is remembering his friend and fellow actor, michael clarke duncan, calling him, quote, magic and a treasure. duncan earned an oscar nomination alongside hanks for "the green mile." he was known as one of hollywood's true general giants. duncan suffered a heart attack on july 13th and never fully recovered. he died in a los angeles hospital yesterday at the young age of just 54 years old. and here's a story that is going to resonate with some of us at the desk.

a newborn who couldn't wait for the hospital. mom was already in the back of the ambulance when it became clear baby jane was on her way. so, her grandad, who is a paramedic, plunged right in and brought the little granddaughter into the world. >> they say i delivered the baby. but moms deliver babies. we're just there to catch them and keep them from falling on the floor. >> as you can see, they finally made it to the hospital. we should let you know that mom, baby jane and her grandpa are all doing fine. and diana is just 13 days away herself from becoming a new mom. so, hope you paid attention to that. >> yikes. a very determined labrador retriever has been reunited with his family after an amazing journey. bucky traveled nearly 500 miles from virginia back to south carolina, in search of his owners. after a vet discovered bucky's identity via a microchip, this happy scene was the result. no question. dogs are man's best friend.

>> we like it. some sports, now, at the u.s. open. andy roddick could play his final competitive tennis match tonight. he's retiring, as he said, after his next loss. on top of that, serena williams is in to the women's final. she didn't lose a single game in her match yesterday. but last night, serena and her sister, venus, were booted from the final competition by a team of russians. as for your other highlights now, we get those, thanks to our friends at espn. >> randy scott here with your "sportscenter" update. college football's opening week, so jam-packed it extended into labor day. enjoying the long weekend in blacksburn, virginia. 16th-ranked virginia tech, hosting georgia tech. this game was so packed, we needed some extra time. final minute of the fourth quarter. kevin washington, to deon hill. yellow jackets take a 17-14 lead. last chance for the hokies. it's 14-6. logan thomas, connecting with corey fuller. fuller to the 24 yard line.

get up there and call a time-out. cody journell has the chance to send it into overtime from 41 yards out. and it's true. it's the first overtime game in the history of lane stadium. think about it. bruce smith played there. mike vick played there. they never played an overtime game. georgia tech, third and six. kevin washington did not make many mistakes. but he wants that one back. tried to force it. instead, it's an interception by kyle fuller. all that virginia tech has to do is score. and they send everybody home safe. maybe they don't send them home. maybe they send them to the hokie house. journell's the hero. 20-17, is your final. baseball action in the a.l. east. joe maddon and the rays taking on the yanks. not afraid of new york. bottom eight in a tie game. jimenez to the right side. ryan roberts is in. and the rays on top, 4-3. fernando rodney, trying to button up the save. facing curtis granderson.

and rodney is your huckleberry. 41st save on his season. the rays win 4-3, just 2 1/2 games back of new york. same two teams headline a major league baseball doubleheader tonight on espn. coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. eastern. i'm randy scott. have a great day. and a final sports note. tiger woods is the first golfer to ever earn over $100 million on the pga tour. >> he crossed that threshold after finishing third in a tournament in massachusetts. woods has played 277 times on the tour. that means he's earned more than $362,000 per start. nice life. >> wow. coming up next, "the pulse." and stories swirling about the tom cruise casting couch. did scientology officials really audition wives for him? and best friends. the loyal dogs with a welcome home to melt the heart of a tough marine. for write this. it's like the days before esurance express lane™.

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time to check "the pulse," the stories you'll be talking about today. >> after 59 co-hosts, the suspense is finally over for kelly ripa. in just a few hours she'll announce her permanent tv partner. >> most of the speculation has centered around super bowl champ michael strahan. if he takes the gig, though, strahan will have a pretty tough schedule since he's already a co-host for fox's nfl sunday. where he wears more clothes than that. a famous hollywood director is backing a "vanity fair"

report that claims the church of scientology held secret auditions to find a girlfriend for tom cruise before he met kate. >> an iranian-born actress was found by the church. but she was allegedly punished and silenced after breaking a confidentiality agreement. a former scientologist has come forward. >> in an e-mail to showbiz 411, he says he knows the woman. and she was horrified by her treatment by the church. the church is denying the allegation. this video has gone viral this morning. we start off in the house where three dogs are waiting to go outside. they make their way to the backyard door. >> once outside, it doesn't take them long to get all worked up about the fact that their other homeowner is finally home. he's a marine who had been gone for a two months training mission. the dogs could hardly contain their excitement. eventually, the marine had to calm them down to get a little bit of peace. oh. >> you're a dog lover. you love that, don't you? >> i love it. the licking is a little excessive. but i love that. for some of you, your local

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up next, breaking news, firefighters and haz-mat use are headed to the scene of a possible chemical spill. misuse a handicap parking placard in berkeley and face a huge fine. mike will have the forecast. pretty foggy start around the bay and inland we'll have a lot of summer heat.the remnane eastern part of the country from vermont to virginia. and heavy rain from florida to mississippi. finally from us this morning, the dry weather is forcing one wild animal to forage for some food in some

unexpected spots. >> abc's clayton sandell on why people are increasingly coming uncomfortably close to bears. >> reporter: it's not just the stuff of movies anymore. vail, colorado, is now in the grip of a bear epidemic. more than 50 calls about bears in the past month alone. >> there's a bear in my house. there's a bear in my house. >> in your house? >> yes. >> reporter: just down the road, melissa carroll has come face-to-face with bears in her home. >> seeing one right like that, you know, in your house is just -- it took me a long time to calm down. >> reporter: not just once this year. but five different times. these are his claw marks. >> yeah, they are. >> reporter: this bear family was caught snooping around a neighborhood near denver. and with fall coming, it's about to get worse. bears are starting to bulk up for a long winter hibernation. appetites in overdrive. >> they're looking at trying to consume 20,000 calories a day.

they will spend 20 of 24 hours foraging and looking for food. >> reporter: this wave of bruin break-ins can partly be blamed on severe drought. natural foods are scarce. the craving for calories send bears hunting for people food. everything from peanut butter to pizza. this one pried open a colorado candy store. and in new mexico, this uninvited guest crashed a resort hotel. >> generally a bear has to be put down once it becomes aggressive. >> reporter: to scare away problem bears this police sergeant arms himself with a gun filled with pepper spray. but or this night, the bear that tore into this dumpster escaped into the dark. >> entirely possible it's still in the area. >> reporter: likely to come back very soon, still hungry. clayton sandell, abc news, vail, colorado. >> bear comes to my house five times, i'm finding a new house. >> if you think it's going to attract a bear, pull it inside. that's the smart thing to do. that's what's making news in america this morning.